Device for generating an air wall

1. Device ( 1 ) for generating an air wall across a passage opening between a first space and a second space, wherein the first space and the second space have a mutually different temperature and/or humidity, which passage opening ( 100 ) has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a top edge, the device ( 1 ) comprising:

a first blowing device ( 10 ) with a first primary blower slit ( 11 ), arranged at the first lateral edge of the passage opening ( 100 ) in such a way that a first substantially planar air stream is blown over substantially the entire height and at least a first part of the width of the passage opening ( 100 ); and

a second blowing device ( 20 ) with a second primary blower slit ( 21 ), arranged at the second lateral edge of the passage opening ( 100 ) in such a way that a second substantially planar air stream is blown over substantially the entire height and at least a second part of the width of the passage opening ( 100 );

wherein the device ( 1 ) is further provided with regulating means ( 13 ; 23 ) for regulating the respective blowing speeds of the first blowing device and the second blowing device; and wherein the first blowing device ( 10 ) and the second blowing device ( 20 ) are provided with secondary blower slits ( 12 ; 22 ) which are parallel to the respective primary blower slits ( 11 ; 21 ), which secondary blower slits ( 12 ; 22 ) are connected to secondary means for drying and/or heating air to be blown.

2. Device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the primary blower slits ( 11 ; 21 ) have a width in the range of 10-40 mm and a length in the blowing direction of 5-40 cm.

3. Device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the first blowing device ( 10 ) and the second blowing device ( 20 ) are constructed from vertically adjoining modules ( 10 a , 10 b , 10 c ; 20 a , 20 b , 20 c ), wherein the regulating means ( 13 ; 23 ) are designed to regulate a blowing speed for each module.

4. Device ( 1 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the first blowing device ( 10 ) and the second blowing device ( 20 ) are designed to vary the blowing direction over the height of the passage opening ( 100 ).

5. Device ( 1 ) according to claim 3 , further provided with a bridging element which extends from an end of the first blowing device ( 10 ) to a corresponding end of the second blowing device ( 20 ), wherein the bridging element is arranged at the top edge of the passage opening ( 100 ) in such a way that a third substantially planar air stream is blown over substantially the entire width and at least part of the height of the passage opening ( 100 ).

6. Method for screening a passage opening ( 100 ) between a first space and a second space by means of an air wall, wherein the first space and the second space have a mutually different temperature and/or humidity, which passage opening ( 100 ) has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and a top edge, the method comprising:

generating a first substantially planar air stream over substantially the entire height and a first part of the width of the passage opening ( 100 ) by means of a first blowing device ( 10 ) with a first primary blower slit ( 11 ), arranged at the first lateral edge of the passage opening ( 100 ); and

generating a second substantially planar air stream over substantially the entire height and a second part of the width of the passage opening ( 100 ) by means of a second blowing device ( 20 ) with a second primary blower slit ( 21 ), arranged at the second lateral edge of the passage opening ( 100 ); and generating respective secondary air streams by means of secondary blower slits ( 12 ; 22 ) which are provided in the first blowing device ( 10 ) and the second blowing device ( 20 ) are parallel to the respective primary blower slits ( 11 ; 21 ),

wherein the air to be blown through the secondary blower slits ( 12 ; 22 ) is dried and/or heated; wherein the first blowing device ( 10 ) and the second blowing device ( 20 ) provide respective blowing speeds, which are regulated by regulating means ( 13 ; 23 ) in such a way that the first air stream and the second air stream cover the width of the passage opening ( 100 ), and that the occurrence of turbulence is minimized in an area where the first air stream and the second air stream meet.

7. Method according to claim 6 , wherein the primary blower slits ( 11 ; 21 ) have a width in the range of 10-40 mm and a length in the blowing direction of 5-40 cm.

8. Method according to claim 6 or claim 7 , wherein the first blowing device ( 10 ) and the second blowing device ( 20 ) are constructed from vertically adjoining modules ( 10 a , 10 b , 10 c ; 20 a , 20 b , 20 c ), and wherein the blowing speed of each module is regulated.

9. Method according to claim 8 , wherein the blowing direction varies over the height of the passage opening ( 100 ).

10. Method according to claim 8 , further comprising generating a third substantially planar air stream over substantially the entire width and at least part of the height of the passage opening ( 100 ) by means of a bridging element which is arranged at the top edge of the passage opening ( 100 ) and extends from an end of the first blowing device ( 10 ) to a corresponding end of the second blowing device ( 20 ).

11. Device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the primary blower slits ( 11 ; 21 ) have a width in the range of 10-40 mm and a length in the blowing direction of 10-30 cm.

12. Method according to claim 6 , wherein the primary blower slits ( 11 ; 21 ) have a width in the range of 10-40 mm and a length in the blowing direction of 10-30 cm.